Boatmaster Apprentice

Job Description

About the job

Hornblower Group is a global leader in experience and transportation. Spanning a 100-year history, Hornblower Group’s portfolio of international offerings includes water- and land-based experiences and ferry and transportation services. City Experiences, Hornblower Group’s premier experience division, offers dining and sightseeing cruises and walking and food tours through the City Cruises, Walks, and Devour brands. City Ferry, part of Hornblower Group’s Ferry and Transportation Division, is the largest private operator of high-speed passenger and vehicle ferries in the United States, carrying more than 10 million passengers annually and operating services including NYC Ferry, Puerto Rico Ferry, and other regional ferry systems. Hornblower Group’s subsidiaries include Hornblower Marine, which provides vessel outhaul and maintenance services at Bridgeport Boatworks in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Seaward Services, Inc., a full-service shipping, waterfront logistics and management company that specializes in the operation and maintenance of government and commercial vessels. Additionally, Anchor Operating System, LLC, a Hornblower Group subsidiary and independent entity, provides reservation, ticketing and website integration services for clients in the transportation, tourism and entertainment industries. Today, Hornblower Group’s global portfolio covers over 10 countries, over 50 U.S. cities and serves more than 20 million guests annually. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Hornblower Group’s additional corporate offices reside in San Francisco, California; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; London, United Kingdom; New York, New York; Dublin, Ireland; and across Ontario, Canada. For more information, visit hornblowercorp.com.

Are you ready to turn your passion for the maritime industry into an exciting career?

We’re looking for 2 Maritime Trainee Apprentices to join our team and gain hands on experience operating vessels on the iconic River Thames. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn from experienced crew members, develop valuable maritime skills and take the first step towards a long term career on the water.

📍 Full Time Fixed Term Apprenticeship (24 months)

💷 Salary: £20,570.16 per annum

Start date – 7th September 2026.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking for a new direction, this apprenticeship offers the chance to earn while you learn in one of London’s most unique working environments.

Think you’ve got what it takes? Apply today and start your journey with City Cruises! 🚤

Apply for this role

Position Summary

City Cruises UK is part of the City Experiences division of the Hornblower Group, a global leader in world-class experiences and transportation services. We operate public dining and sightseeing cruises as well as private charters for corporate events, birthday parties, weddings, or other special occasions across London and York.

This is a minimum of 2 years under the apprenticeship scheme. As a Maritime Trainee Apprentice, you will learn knowledge of operating a vessel on the River Thames whilst learning to maintain and navigate a vessel. In return we are keen to support you in developing your career in the maritime tourism industry and provide you the opportunity to be part of an active social culture and a great team! If this role sounds right for you, please get in touch!

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• To complete all required training to fulfil the requirements of the apprenticeship.
• To take responsibility for their own learning.
• Learn best practice when operating our vessels and apply this learning to their apprenticeship to gain all relevant qualifications, knowledge, and skills to successfully obtain their BML.
• Comply with Company SMS regulations and assist the Captain in ensuring these regulations are followed by all onboard.
• Support the Captain in onboard safety training for all crew members including conducting a crew safety briefing every morning before commencing service to the public.
• Ensure vessels meet Company standards in terms of safety so our passengers remain safe and enjoy their experience on the River Thames.
• Learn to navigate vessels on the River Thames safely in accordance with the Company passage plan, PLA bylaws and as directed by the Captain.
• Support safe mooring of the vessels at all times in accordance with the Company’s SMS.
• To provide a vessel safety announcement after leaving each pier to comply with Company SMS.
• To account for and safely embark and disembark passengers from one of our recognised locations along the River Thames.
• To carry out daily vessel log checks in conjunction with the SMS procedures with specific attention to all safety equipment and engines.
• To report any maintenance checks or incidents as per the Company’s SMS.
• Assist the Captain in ensuring the vessel is fully stocked with fuel, water, and supplies, addressing any shortages before service.
• Support the engineering department with watering, bunkering, servicing duties, and other ad hoc tasks as needed.
• Assist in vessel surveys and their preparation ensuring that all onboard documentation and equipment is maintained and looked after.
• Ensure the vessel is clean, tidy, and well presented, at all times to comply with the Company’s SMS and London Port Health regulations.
• Carry out the duties of a third hand on board our vessels, particularly on charters, and take responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of the workboats.
• Participate in dockings, stability tests, and shipyard operations as needed, contributing to the safe and efficient execution of these tasks.
• To provide passengers with a commentary through the City Cruises’ sightseeing journey and give them an amazing experience along the River Thames.
• Be well presented and groomed in Company uniform at all times when representing City Cruises’ and serving to the public.
• Be prepared to attend and participate in training across all City Cruises UK locations, ensuring familiarity with company standards, procedures, and operations at each site.
• To perform any other task set by the Operations team.
• Be an ambassador for the company whilst off site.

Requirements & Qualifications

Educational Level/Qualifications

• GCSE’s including English and Maths (Level 2/Grade C and above)

Personal Skills Required

• Willingness to learn and progress
• Self motivated
• Problem solver with the ability to offer solutions
• Act with integrity at all times
• To exhibit a professional attitude at all times
• Calm and able to work well under pressure
• Excellent numeracy and literacy skills
• Reliable and will attend work on a punctual basis
• Highly organised
• Able to work under direction and follow the chain of command
• To be flexible in carrying out your duties at any of the Company’s locations, offices or departments and fulfil other tasks that fall within your post as required
• Company focused
• To be able to write and speak English to the level required for the role

All employees must commit to upholding our RESPECT values. They are as follows:

• Respect We will value, appreciate and respect each other. We will foster diversity and inclusivity.
• Environment We will Respect our planet. We will conserve, protect, and educate. We will practice environmental stewardship.
• Safety #1 We will think and work safely. We will follow safety standards and instructions. We will create a safe and secure workplace.
• Professionalism We will conduct ourselves professionally. We will take responsibility for our actions. We #will own the problem until it is solved.
• Exceed We will continuously improve. We will exceed standards and expectations.
• Communication We will be open and honest. We will choose a respectful approach. We will share information with others effectively.
• Teamwork We will exist to serve others. We will anticipate the needs of others. We will have fun and practice “enthusiastic friendliness”.

As an equal opportunities’ employer, we are committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and do not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.

We aspire to create a diverse and inclusive environment. Candidates for employment or promotion will be assessed objectively against the requirements for the position.